The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has announced planned maintenance work on the water supply infrastructure in certain areas that will lead to disruptions in water supply. The maintenance work is essential to benefit the residents, and it is regrettable that this may cause inconvenience. The following is what you need to know about the planned maintenance work.
Maintenance Activities
The maintenance work involves zero-pressure tests, step tests, and conditional assessments in Helena Heights – Heldervue, Somerset West. These tests will be conducted from 21:00 on Tuesday, 22 August 2023, overnight until 04:00 on Wednesday, 23 August 2023. The testing aims to identify unmapped inflows that need to be considered before installing smart pressure-reducing valves. During the testing, some residents may experience low water pressure, and others might not receive any water from their taps. It is impossible to predict which specific areas or streets will face disruptions. Pressure fluctuations may occur during the testing, but they will be minimized as much as possible.
Conditional assessments ensure that the pressure reducing valves (PRVs) in the water supply network are operating as expected and managing pressures at the predetermined settings. This process helps preserve the pipeline’s lifespan and reduces water wastage resulting from pipe bursts.
Maintenance work involving pipe and valve installations, repairs, and replacements will also be carried out in the following areas:
- Welgedacht Estate: 10:00-14:00 on Tuesday, 22 August 2023
- Vredenberg, Bellair, Blommendal, La Rochelle, and Oakglen: 20:00 on Tuesday, 22 August 2023 overnight until 04:00 on Wednesday, 23 August 2023
Objective
The maintenance work is part of the Water and Sanitation Directorate’s proactive infrastructure maintenance and upgrade program aimed at ensuring the future continuity of water supply by addressing the issue of unaccounted-for water. The City’s Water Demand Management Strategy aims to manage water pressure more efficiently, reducing the possibility of pipe bursts and water wastage.
Impacts
The City has carefully considered the timing of this maintenance work, striving to minimize disruptions in water supply. However, it is essential for residents to understand that these sites are considered construction sites and are off-limits to the public. The complexity of maintenance work might sometimes lead to a longer duration than anticipated.
Following the restoration of water supply, residents may notice discolored or milky water due to trapped air in the pipes. Letting the water stand in a glass will clear its appearance.
Advice to Residents
To prepare for planned water supply disruptions, residents are advised to:
- Store enough water in clean, sealed containers for use during the disruption period.
- Keep taps closed to prevent water loss and/or damage when the water supply is restored.
For updates on maintenance work and information on tanker locations (where applicable), residents can follow the City of Cape Town’s Twitter account, @CityofCTAlerts.
